Operation AmeriCorps

Operation AmeriCorps Overview

Operation AmeriCorps is our new program to help tribal and local leaders use AmeriCorps to accomplish big things in their community.

As part of Operation AmeriCorps, we are asking tribal and local leaders to identify a high-priority local challenge that AmeriCorps State and National, AmeriCorps NCCC and/or AmeriCorps VISTA members can address in a relatively short period of time (no more than two years).

The grant competition is open exclusively to tribal and local governments, including counties, cities, towns, and school districts; and state service commissions.

We are looking for proposals that are place-based, coordinated with existing community organizations, and with transformational outcomes.

The solution may be a new initiative, or it may use national service to scale up an existing successful effort, but in either case AmeriCorps must be the additive ingredient to achieve transformative change at the local level.

Operation AmeriCorps Funding Priorities

The Fiscal Year 2015 Operation AmeriCorps competition has two funding priorities.

Applicants may choose to apply to either of the priorities.

The first priority focuses is narrowly tailored and focus on specific post-secondary outcomes for students.

The second priority is more flexible and allows localities to identify their most pressing challenge.

For more information please see the Notice of Funding Opportunity.

What makes this competition different from other AmeriCorps Competitions?

Focuses on transformational impact: Successful applicants will propose how AmeriCorps members will be an essential part of the solution to achieve a dramatic and measurable improvement in the given locality in a two-year period.

Two-step application process: For the first step, applicants will submit a concept paper (maximum length: 10 pages) that describes their project. Then applicants selected for step two will receive technical assistance and be asked to submit a full application.

We also expect applicants to show how they will coordinate with national service programs in their communities.

This includes coordination with other AmeriCorps programs and grantees from Senior Corps, the Social Innovation Fund, and the Volunteer Generation Fund.

As part of this coordination, applicants should reach out to their State Service Commission to learn about their state’s application process and deadline, which may be significantly before the CNCS deadline of January 13, 2015.

We also will give preference to applicants that demonstrate strong local support or are part of the Promise Zone or Strong Cities, Strong Communities initiatives.

Operation AmeriCorps Deadline

Applications are due January 13, 2015 please check here for details of the application process in your state. Notice of intent to apply is due December 29, 2014.